BIG DADDY FOODS
Brian Folloder (AKA) Big Daddy and Larry Merrill Sr met in the Miami International Airport on their way to a conference in Cartagena, Columbia. Though they had never met, but had been doing business together for three years they immediately recognized each other, and a bond and a friendship was born. Brian always referred to Larry as his “brother from a different mother”. The love and respect for each other was apparent and three days later in Cartagena while having a cocktail Brian said, “Merrill you’re a lot of fun, we ought to do a business together” and Big Daddy Foods was born.
Big Daddy Foods produces over ten-million pounds of custom packed poultry, processed to our foodservice and industrial customer’s specifications, including chicken breast, wings, tenderloins, and more.
Need something else with your poultry? No problem. We have more Beefs than a reality show. In addition to our poultry and beef business, Big Daddy Foods also packs Pork Chops, Party Wings and Pork Tenderloins, breaded and raw, under our Big Daddy and Caroline Farms Brands for retail.
Click here to get a full listing of all of our products.
What size do you need? We offer many different packs like 4/10 or 8/5 flat pack or IQF.
Regarding grading and sizing— we can be just as precise as you need.
Click here to learn more about our services.
Our Team
Larry Merrill Sr.
We get offers from poultry plants on their excess, updated all during the day. As the senior member of our poultry operation, “I have over 50 years’ experience buying and selling poultry, started working in a plant when I was 11. Was an owner of 2 poultry plants and served on the board of directors of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. I love the chicken business and would love the opportunity to work with you.” I am available 24/7. Call me anytime.
Clay Folloder
Clay has over 13 years of experience in the foodservice industry. From Food Sales to Non-Food Sales, his background makes him an asset to all of his clients.
“Having my family in the foodservice business for 3 generations has taught me the importance of servicing my customers and their needs. At Big Daddy Foods, my relationships and resources allow me to provide the results that my customers are seeking. Like my father, I have a wide range of experience and knowledge in working with restaurants and distribution. I’m always available and look forward to the opportunity to work with you!”
Larry Merrill Jr
As a third generation poultry man, I have gained valuable knowledge and a love of the industry. My father taught me to develop a work ethic by participation in sports throughout my adolescence. Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals out of high school and later playing in the San Francisco Giants and California Angel organizations I enjoyed a relatively short but exciting career in professional baseball.
Upon completion of a BA degree in communication from Auburn University, I returned to what I know best- the poultry industry. Starting in production with management with FCT and Savory Farms and later as a consultant for internet trading company, Global Food Exchange. With over 17 years of working with distributors, retailers and producers we know how to match up the product with the customer. We move product-let me work with you!
Karen Potts
Karen started her accounting career working part-time at a bank while still a senior in high school and hasn’t looked back. Since then, she has worked for different domestic and foreign banks, savings and loans, as well as trust companies.
Karen’s areas of experience are operations, accounting, regulatory matters, and management. She studied at the University of Houston and continued her education with coursework in commercial banking and trust operations at the American Institute of Banking, SMU.
Tim Panzeri
I am a native of North Alabama and have lived here all of my life, currently residing in the lovely “Rocket City” - Huntsville Al. I have a degree in Business Administration and over 20 yrs in sales experience.
Buying and selling have been something I have always enjoyed doing and they have always been good to me. I began working as a protein trader in 2017 and have not looked back. During this time I spent a large portion of time sourcing products as the Vice President of Procurement at another trading before coming to work here at Big Daddy Foods. In my previous career I was a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company and eventually led a sales team for several years.
Big Daddy foods was first a customer and a supplier for me over many years. I was very excited when the opportunity came to join their team. This is a great company with great people. I am proud to be a part of this family and look forward to assisting our customers and suppliers in any possible way that I can.
Rick Somerville
I have worked in the Food industry for 38 years. I have experience in Warehousing, Purchasing, Marketing and Sales. I have over 25 years experience working and partnering with Food Banks, Feeding programs and Institutional Feeding Facilities across the Nation.
I am very knowledgeable of the products and needs of these organizations. I would love to talk or meet with you and always happy to help with any questions you may have. I am available by cell 24 hours a day. Please do not hesitate to call me.
Nona Kailas
I have worked in the Food Industry for nearly all my adult life, starting as a grocery store clerk, and soon after becoming a grocery store department manager which lasted over a decade. I moved to Grand Rapids MI and worked for a company as a sales assistant providing assistance with customer relations, purchasing, marketing, and sales where I worked for over 15 years. I took all these years of experience to Big Daddy Foods Inc. over eight years ago, where I work remotely from the Michigan office and continue to provide Customer Service, Purchasing, Marketing, Freight Coordinating, and Sales. By far working at Big Daddy Foods has been my most rewarding experience. You are in the best hands with this company and I’m happy to assist you anytime with any questions or concerns.
Tony Pizzutelli
I started out as a kid in the hospitality industry in both New York & Florida. I studied hospitality & restaurant management, and have been in the restaurant business for 20+ years. For the last 25 years, I’ve been in food service sales, and specialized in Federal, State, and County Institutions as well as non- government entities. We are dedicated to providing quality products to meet our clients needs and top notch customer service. We are ready to service all your food service needs at (754) 366-8175 or (954) 529-9322
Rachel Bolton
I started working in the accounting field after graduating high school while I studied business at Shelton State. I got married and had 2 wonderful kids Addison and Caden who keep me busy. Many years later I took on a new adventure that I never thought I would be doing. I specialize in prisons and institutions selling frozen poultry, beef, fish and other various items. I have been working in the industry for over 10 years now. Here at our company we provide high quality items and concentrate on customer service. If there is a need we can help. You may reach me at 205-310-2899.
Ryan Smith
I am a recent graduate from Auburn University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Before going to Auburn, I played baseball at Central Alabama Community College and was a part of the 2013 NJCAA National Championship team. Baseball taught me hard work, dedication, and how to work through the tough times.
Being new to the food industry I have a lot to learn, but there is not a better group of people to learn from than the Big Daddy family. Working in the office with my grandfather and uncle is just the cherry on top. At Big Daddy, we are dedicated to fulfilling our customers' needs and building lifelong relationships. Let us work with you.
Kim Kimbrough
Kara Deis
Kara graduated from Texas A&M University with a BBA and MS in Accounting. She completed her CPA
requirements while working for a small regional accounting firm in North Carolina, where her focus was
mainly client bookkeeping, payroll, and tax work. Upon returning to her hometown of Houston, Texas,
she spent several years in public accounting as a Senior Auditor for a then Big-6 accounting firm. Kara
later went into the private sector, where she was involved in budgeting, consolidating financial
statements, and external audit support.
Kara is thrilled to be part of the Big Daddy Foods family.
“You can tell the quality of our company by the customers we keep.”
- LARRY MERRILL, SR.
Big Daddy Foods is proud to work with some of the biggest names in the food industry.
While these relationships may have started as business partnerships, all of them are now considered friends and family to us.